Mf . Lindley on u new Genus of Plants, ft8§ 



We have thus briefly stated the contents of these volumes^ 

 Tvliich are further illustrated by numerous woodcuts and 

 several plates; and are perfectly ready to commend the 

 performance as an extremely useful and proper book for 

 young persons, but not, in our opinion, of both sexes : we 

 should have been better pleased if Harriet and Sophy had 

 been replaced by William and Thomas; for we cannot 

 fancy the subjects here discussed as quite fit for young ladies. 

 Boys, on the contrary, ought to know much more of these 

 matters than they commonly do ; and for conveying such 

 information in a pleasing and familiar, yet neither vulgap 

 nor superficial style, this compilation seems perfectly appro-j 

 priate, and will, we trust, find, as it ought, a numerous cjass 

 of readers. 



Notice of a New Genus of Plants discovered in the Rocky 

 Mountains of North America by Mr. David Douglas. By 

 John Lindley, Esq», F. L. S., &c. &c. 



Upon his journey across the rocky mountains in April 1827, 

 in latitude 52° N., longitude 118° W., at an estimated elevation 

 of 12,000 feet above the level of the sea, the attention of Mr. 

 Douglas was attracted by a brilliant purple patch amidst the 

 surrounding snow. On approaching it, he was surprised to 

 find that the colour which had arrested his eye was caused 

 by the blossoms of a little plant, from which the superincumbent 

 snow had not yet melted away. The well-known Saxifraga 

 oppositifolia immediately occurred to his recollection, and he at 

 fiirst imagined he. had either discovered that species, or one 

 nearly allied to it; but upon a closer inspection, he per-» 

 ceived that it was no Saxifraga, but a genus apparently newi 

 Specimens having been submitted, to me for examination 

 since Mr. Douglas's return, the following description has been 

 drawn up: — 



' The plant forms a thick tuft consisting of numerous perennial 

 'branched stems, the lower of which are covered with the persis- 

 tent decayed leaves and fruit of previous sumtners. The stenis 

 tire round, bright purplish brown, covered v^ith scattered, rigid^ 

 bratiched, short hairs, and densely clothed with opposite spreading 

 leaves. Tbe leaves are a dull glaucous green, Semi-amplexicaul^ 



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